Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City for Art Lovers in Chinatown
Top Things to Do in New York City for Art Lovers in Chinatown
1. Museum of Chinese in America
MOCA traces Chinese American creativity through photography, design, textiles, and multimedia. Compact yet thoughtfully curated galleries make it easy to pair with neighborhood art strolls.
✓ Why Go:
Contextualizes Chinatown’s visual culture and immigrant stories that inform local art and design.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekday afternoons for quieter galleries; late Fridays often see lighter crowds.
✓ Insider Tip:
Don’t miss the archival displays—photos and ephemera that inspire many Chinatown muralists and gallery shows.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors call it eye-opening and intimate, praising exhibits that connect art with lived experience.
2. Mahayana Buddhist Temple
A cavernous hall anchored by a monumental Buddha, vibrant altars, and gilded iconography—an atmospheric study in color, scale, and devotional art.
✓ Why Go:
Offers a rare look at traditional Buddhist art and craft in an active urban temple.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Morning light enhances details; arrive before noon to avoid Canal Street crowds.
✓ Insider Tip:
Bring small bills for incense; step back to frame the statue against the richly painted ceiling.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests praise the serenity amid the bustle and the temple’s awe-inspiring centerpiece.
3. Eastern States Buddhist Temple of America
Intimate shrine rooms filled with statues, lanterns, and calligraphy—a quiet counterpoint to Mott Street’s energy.
✓ Why Go:
A nuanced look at devotional sculpture and the aesthetics of everyday offerings.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late afternoon on weekdays for a contemplative visit.
✓ Insider Tip:
Look for the dragon motifs on the facade; they photograph beautifully in sidelighting.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors appreciate its authenticity and the chance to slow down and observe details.
4. Confucius Plaza (Confucius Statue)
A landmark residential plaza crowned by a bronze Confucius, surrounded by everyday street life—part sculpture garden, part community stage.
✓ Why Go:
The statue is a neighborhood icon and an anchor for photo studies of scale and urban context.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Golden hour for warm tones on bronze and the Bowery skyline.
✓ Insider Tip:
Frame the statue with the sweeping curves of the Manhattan Bridge approach for dynamic compositions.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Travelers find it emblematic and uplifting—a quick but meaningful art stop.
5. Columbus Park
A beloved community hub where you might catch traditional music, Chinese opera rehearsals, or calligraphy practice—living arts in an open-air setting.
✓ Why Go:
Blends performance, folk arts, and everyday craftsmanship—ideal for candid, culture-rich photography.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekend late mornings for music and activity; weekdays for quieter sketching sessions.
✓ Insider Tip:
Bring a sketchbook—shady benches near the pavilion are perfect for quick studies.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests love the unscripted creativity and strong sense of community.
6. Doyers Street Murals
The curved lane known as the ‘Bloody Angle’ now hosts rotating murals and colorful facades—street art meets layered history.
✓ Why Go:
A concentrated dose of Chinatown’s contemporary visual culture in a single photogenic alley.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early morning for unobstructed shots; twilight for neon and ambient glow.
✓ Insider Tip:
Stand near the bend to capture a sweeping perspective that pulls the murals into one frame.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors rave about the surprise factor and constantly changing visuals.
7. Wing on Wo & Co
NYC’s oldest family-run porcelain shop doubles as a cultural hub, showcasing ceramics, artist collaborations, and community projects.
✓ Why Go:
A living gallery where tradition informs contemporary design and storytelling.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Afternoons midweek for relaxed browsing.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask about limited-run artist pieces and the family’s archive-inspired designs.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Travelers cherish the warmth, craftsmanship, and sense of heritage.
8. Canal Street Market
A curated marketplace mixing design brands, art prints, and pop-up installations—part retail, part creative showcase.
✓ Why Go:
Great for discovering emerging designers and picking up artful souvenirs.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekend afternoons for the fullest roster of vendors.
✓ Insider Tip:
Check for rotating art booths and zine tables near the center aisle.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests like the modern vibe and well-edited selection.
9. Museum at Eldridge Street
Housed in a restored 1887 synagogue, this museum features ornate woodwork and a contemporary rose window that floods the sanctuary with color.
✓ Why Go:
Stunning architecture meets modern art in Kiki Smith and Deborah Gans’s luminous stained-glass installation.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late morning for the best light through the rose window.
✓ Insider Tip:
Look up: the painted starry ceiling rewards slow viewing and wide-angle lenses.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors are moved by the craftsmanship and the building’s rebirth as an arts space.
10. 56 Henry
A nimble contemporary gallery that helped anchor Chinatown’s art scene, showing emerging artists in an intimate, street-level space.
✓ Why Go:
Consistently adventurous programming that reflects the neighborhood’s creative energy.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Afternoons during exhibition runs; check hours before visiting.
✓ Insider Tip:
After browsing, wander Henry Street—several project spaces and murals sit within a short block or two.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Art lovers praise its discovery feel and strong curatorial voice.
